SAINT PAUL, MN - Highland Chateau Health Care Center faced multiple safety citations during a federal inspection, with violations spanning food safety, infection control, and emergency response systems that affected resident care quality.
Food Storage and Safety Failures
Federal inspectors documented extensive food safety violations throughout the facility's kitchen and storage areas during their April 2025 inspection. The dietary manager acknowledged multiple instances of improper food handling that posed contamination risks to residents.
In the kitchen refrigerator, inspectors found an opened sponge cake that was both unlabeled and undated. A container of dried milk dated from January was discovered well past its safe consumption period, with the dietary manager confirming it should have been discarded after one week due to potential yeast growth.
The kitchen freezer contained numerous improperly stored items. A box of gluten-free pasta shells was stored directly on the floor with vegetable packages stacked on top, violating basic food safety protocols that require all food items to be stored off floor surfaces to prevent contamination.
Three packages of waffles were found completely undated and unlabeled, with one package already opened. An opened bag of egg omelets lacked both dating and labeling, while another package of waffles had been identified as spoiled the previous week but remained in storage.
Inspectors also found an opened bag of chicken sitting in a box without proper closure, and chicken strips that were unlabeled and undated, preventing staff from tracking freshness and safety.
Dry Storage Violations
The dry storage area revealed additional concerning conditions. A molasses jug from October 2023 showed brown substance residue on the exterior and should have been discarded long ago according to the dietary manager. A salsa jar had dried residue on the outside with an improperly secured lid, allowing potential contamination.
Five bags of opened tortilla chips were left untied, with the dietary manager acknowledging they should be properly wrapped and sealed. Storage bins for sugar and flour contained multiple scoops stored directly in the food products, violating protocols that require utensils to be stored separately to prevent contamination.
Equipment sanitation also proved inadequate. The coffee machine showed debris buildup on the underside, including unidentified white chunks that the dietary manager attributed to insufficient daily cleaning. A first-floor kitchenette refrigerator contained an unlabeled Wendy's bag with a salad of unknown age.
Infection Control Protocol Failures
The facility demonstrated significant gaps in infection control procedures, particularly concerning enhanced barrier precautions (EBP) for at-risk residents. These protocols are essential for preventing the spread of multi-drug resistant organisms and protecting residents with wounds or medical devices.
During the inspection, nursing assistants were observed providing personal care to a resident requiring enhanced barrier precautions without wearing required gowns. The resident had infections and medical devices that necessitated strict protective equipment use.
One nursing assistant with eight years of experience at the facility acknowledged knowing about the precaution requirements but forgot to wear proper protection because "the nurse was rushing her to complete cares for other residents". This violation directly compromised infection prevention protocols designed to protect both the resident and other facility occupants.
Additional observations revealed improper glove changing procedures. While some staff changed gloves appropriately between different body areas during care, they failed to wash their hands after removing contaminated gloves before putting on clean ones. This fundamental infection control step prevents the transfer of pathogens between surfaces and residents.
Communication System Failures
The facility's emergency call system showed critical functionality gaps that compromised resident safety. One resident with mobility limitations reported her call light had been non-functional, forcing her to use a metal tap bell that staff didn't always hear.
A fellow resident reported that the affected resident "was hollering for help because she needed to be changed, and her call light did not work" for approximately 30 minutes before he walked to the dining room to alert staff. This represented a direct failure of the facility's policy requiring calls to be answered within five minutes.
During the inspection, surveyors confirmed the call light malfunction by testing the system. Neither the wall-mounted indicator nor the hallway electronic display responded when the call button was pressed. The administrator expressed surprise that the issue hadn't been addressed and immediately contacted maintenance.
Medical Safety Implications
These violations represent serious risks to resident health and safety. Improperly stored food can harbor dangerous bacteria including Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria, which pose particular threats to elderly residents with compromised immune systems. Unlabeled and undated foods prevent staff from tracking freshness and identifying spoiled items before they're served.
Infection control failures can lead to healthcare-associated infections, which are particularly dangerous for residents with existing medical conditions. Enhanced barrier precautions exist specifically to prevent transmission of resistant organisms that are difficult to treat and can cause severe complications.
Non-functional call systems compromise residents' ability to request assistance for medical emergencies, toileting needs, or safety concerns. Delayed response times can lead to falls, medication complications, or deteriorating medical conditions that require immediate attention.
Regulatory Standards and Requirements
Federal regulations require nursing homes to maintain comprehensive food safety programs that include proper labeling, dating, and storage of all food items. The facility's own policies, dating from 2021 and 2023, clearly outlined requirements for labeling containers with resident names, item contents, and use-by dates.
Infection control protocols mandate that facilities implement and maintain programs to prevent healthcare-associated infections. Enhanced barrier precautions specifically require gowns and gloves when providing care to residents with certain medical conditions or infections.
Call system regulations require facilities to provide functional communication systems at all times, with policies mandating routine maintenance and testing by maintenance departments. The facility's own policy established a five-minute maximum response time for assistance requests.
Facility Response and Oversight
The dietary manager acknowledged multiple food safety issues during the inspection, including the presence of pests in the kitchen that made proper food storage even more critical. The administrator confirmed that improperly stored food could attract pests and compromise the facility's sanitation efforts.
Licensed nursing staff interviewed during the inspection confirmed their understanding of infection control requirements and acknowledged that violations represented risks for disease transmission. The director of nursing emphasized expectations for staff to follow established protocols.
The facility's policies demonstrate awareness of proper procedures, but implementation clearly fell short of written standards. Multiple violations across different departments suggest systemic oversight challenges rather than isolated incidents.
These citations reflect the facility's failure to maintain basic safety standards essential for resident protection. While classified as minimal harm violations, the cumulative effect of food safety, infection control, and communication system failures creates an environment where resident health and safety are unnecessarily compromised.
Full Inspection Report
The details above represent a summary of key findings. View the complete inspection report for Highland Chateau Health Care Center from 2025-04-24 including all violations, facility responses, and corrective action plans.
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